HEARD IN TOKYO
Share Buybacks Begin
To Catch On in Japan

In late June, Toyota Motor 's shareholders are expected to approve what has become commonplace in the U.S.: a corporate share-repurchase program.

Although Japanese companies have moved only haltingly toward such programs since Tokyo lifted restrictions on the practice late last year, many analysts are cautiously optimistic that share buybacks will catch on. The share prices of the smattering of Japanese companies that have announced...